Signal-torpedo.



W. P. SWEENEY.

SIGNAL TORPE DO. APPLICATION FILED-JANZI, 3918.

Patented Mar. 4,1919.

fnvenfor William P Sweeney WILLIAM P. SWEENEY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. d, 1919.

Application filed January 21, 1918. Serial No. 213,051.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, WILLIAM P. SWEENEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signa-LTorpedoes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide in a signal torpedo improved means for fastening the torpedo to a rail in cold weather.

With this and incidental objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, the essential elements of which are hereinafter described with reference to the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a side view of a signal torpedo embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the same.

The top of the signal torpedo ordinarily used has a saucer shaped cap 1, Fig. 1, car

ried by a bottom plate 2, the space between the two being filled with suitable explosive.

Ordinarily, some means is carried by the plate 2 to bend around, or clamp to, the rail to which the torpedo is to be applied, and in good weather this system is fairly adequate, but in cold weather with the rails frosty and the fingers of theworkmen numb from cold, it is difficult to fasten the clamping means around the rail in such manner as to securely hold the torpedo.

I prefer to strike out from the cover plate 2, Fig. 2, four lugs 3 for ears 3, and insert under these ears, against the back of the cover plate, a strip of leather or fabric l.

I prefer to use leather, although fabric may be used, or any substance that will absorb a certain amount of moisture.

In applying the torpedo to a rail that is frosty, it is only necessary to moisten the rail with spittle, or any other suitable means, place the torpedo thereon, with the strip a lying on or in the liquid used.

With the frosted rail, the strip 4 is frozen almost instantaneously to the rail, and the torpedo is securely held without the necessity of clamping anything whatever to the rail.

While I have described my invention and illustrated it in one particular design, I do not wish it understood that I limit myself to this construction, as it is evident that the application of my invention may be varied in many ways within the scope of the following claims:

Claims:

1. In a signal torpedo the combination of signaling means having a substantially flat back, and a strip of leather carried by said back for the purposes specified.

The combination, with a signal torpedo, of r a strip of leather carried thereby and adapted to be frozen to a steel rail when applied thereto with moisture in cold weather.

WILLIAM P. SWEENEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner on Eatente,

I Washington, D. G. 

